Episode 630 Why Build a Personal Brand With Anthony Gaenzle
Show Highlights
In this episode, Rob Cairns sits down with marketing strategist and author Anthony Gaenzle to discuss the “sea of sameness” in the corporate world and why human connection is the ultimate competitive advantage. They explore the practical steps to building a personal brand, the role of AI in content creation, and why patience is the most underrated marketing tool.
Show Notes
Key Takeaways
- The Power of Connection: People hire people they know, like, and trust. In an industry where many services are identical, your personality is the only thing that can’t be replicated.
- Defining Your Voice: A successful personal brand requires a deep understanding of your specific audience and a clear, authentic message that solves their unique problems.
- Multi-Media Approach: While video and audio (podcasts) offer high personal impact, a mix of written content (blogs/newsletters) and social media is essential for reach and SEO.
- The AI Shift: AI is leveling the playing field for small creators by automating tedious tasks like generating show notes or conducting research, but human “realism” is becoming more valuable as a result.
- Platform Strategy: Don’t try to be everywhere. Focus on one or two platforms where your audience is most active (e.g., LinkedIn or X) and maintain a website as your “owned” digital home.
Timestamps
- [00:00] – Introduction and Welcome.
- [02:15] – Anthony’s journey from the film industry and journalism to marketing.
- [05:40] – Why the “Sea of Sameness” makes personal branding essential today.
- [07:45] – Step one: Understanding your audience and defining your voice.
- [09:30] – Video vs. Audio vs. Written content: Which should you choose?
- [12:30] – The “Post-COVID” shift in video expectations and the rise of raw, authentic content.
- [14:45] – Why you still need a website even if you have a strong social media presence.
- [16:20] – Platform selection: Why Anthony focuses on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).
- [19:00] – Discussion on Substack and Beehiiv for building community.
- [22:00] – How AI helps small creators compete with larger teams.
- [25:30] – The #1 mistake in personal branding: Lack of patience.
- [29:00] – Closing thoughts and where to find Anthony Gaenzle.
Guest Information
Anthony Gaenzle
- Company: Sharp Innovations
- Website: sharpinnovations.com
- Personal Website: eicreative.online
Social Media:@AnthonyGaenzle on X and LinkedIn.
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